Proximity out-of-band mobile device to device communication by means of low-power mesh networks

Abstract

Methods of telecommunicating and systems configured to perform the methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include establishing a primary communications link, determining that a backup communications link is to be established, and determining a plurality of candidate network nodes. The method also includes selecting one of the candidate network nodes with which to establish the backup communications link, where the selected candidate network node is selected based at least in part on the selected candidate network node being in a foreign network, establishing the backup communications link with a selected candidate network node, and communicating using the backup communications link.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of telecommunicating, comprising:
 establishing a primary communications link to a first gateway in a first communications network; 
 determining that a backup communications link is to be established; 
 determining first and second candidate network nodes, wherein the first candidate network node is in the first communications network, wherein the second candidate network node is in a second communications network having a second gateway, and wherein the second communications network is different from the first communications network; 
 based on selection criteria, selecting the second candidate node over the first candidate node as a result of the second candidate node being in a network different from the first network; 
 establishing the backup communications link with the second candidate network node; and 
 communicating using the backup communications link. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection criteria comprise mathematically weighted factors. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed automatically. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed in response to an instruction from a user. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed as part of a process of joining a network. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed as part of a process of establishing a primary communications link. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed in response to a change within a network. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the candidate nodes comprises determining one or more neighboring nodes with which the backup communications link may be established. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein prior to selection of the second candidate node, costs associated with each candidate node are randomly or pseudo-randomly assigned, and the second candidate node is selected based at least in part on the costs of the candidate nodes. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second candidate node is selected based at least in part on a random or pseudo-random factor. 
     
     
       11. A telecommunications device, comprising:
 an interface configured to communicatively couple with other telecommunications devices; 
 a memory, configured to store instructions; and 
 a processor, configured to execute the stored instructions so as to cause the telecommunications device to perform a method, comprising:
 establishing a primary communications link to a first gateway in a first communications network; 
 determining that a backup communications link is to be established; 
 determining first and second candidate network nodes, wherein the first candidate network node is in the first communications network, wherein the second candidate network node is in a second communications network having a second gateway, and wherein the second communications network is different from the first communications network; 
 
 selecting the second candidate node over the first candidate node as a result of the second candidate node being in a network different from the first network;
 establishing the backup communications link with the second candidate network node; and 
 communicating using the backup communications link. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein the selection criteria comprise mathematically weighted factors. 
     
     
       13. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed automatically. 
     
     
       14. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed in response to an instruction from a user. 
     
     
       15. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed as part of a process of joining a network. 
     
     
       16. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed as part of a process of establishing a primary communications link. 
     
     
       17. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein determining that the backup communications link is to be established is performed in response to a change within a network. 
     
     
       18. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein determining the candidate nodes comprises determining one or more neighboring nodes with which the backup communications link may be established. 
     
     
       19. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein prior to selection of the second candidate node, costs associated with each candidate node are randomly or pseudo-randomly assigned, and the second candidate node is selected based at least in part on the costs of the candidate nodes. 
     
     
       20. The telecommunications device of  claim 11 , wherein the second candidate node is selected based at least in part on a random or pseudo-random factor.